CDA is committed to assisting new dentists as they transition into their professional careers, from free classified ads and loan repayment assistance to a library of resources for navigating the business side of dentistry.

Recent dental school graduates and students who will soon graduate from dental school can apply now through July 31 for the CDA Foundation’s 2019 Student Loan Repayment Grant. Awarded annually, the grant provides up to $35,000 per year for a maximum of $105,000 in exchange for the recipient’s three-year commitment to care for the underserved. The application period closes at 11: 59 p.m., Wednesday, July 31.

A new loan repayment program is available for dentists and physicians who provide direct patient care to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Eligible dentists may apply through Physicians for a Healthy California to receive up to $300,000 to apply toward their student loans in exchange for a five-year service obligation as a Medi-Cal provider.

CDA is pleased to announce CommonBond as a CDA Endorsed Program that offers competitive student loan refinancing as a new member benefit. Student loan debt is one of the largest financial hurdles a dentist may face. The average educational debt for all indebted graduates in the class of 2018 for U.S. public and private dental schools was $251,869 and $326,133, respectively.

Whether you’re new to the California Dental Association or a lifetime member, you likely already have a favorite benefit. But you may not be familiar with all of the perks that your CDA membership has to offer. This year, maximize the programs, services and expertise available to you through organized dentistry.

The CDA Foundation has named Andrea Ustarez, DDS, the recipient of its 2018 Student Loan Repayment Grant. Awarded annually to a recent dental school graduate, the grant assists with repayment of education loans in exchange for the recipient’s commitment to care for the underserved. Dr. Ustarez will receive up to $105,000 over three years to put toward repayment of her student loans while she realizes her goal of working in public health.

While new graduates are enthusiastic to put their clinical skills into practice, many would also admit to feeling ill-equipped for the business side of dentistry. To support new dentists in the transition to practice life, CDA offers savings and solutions for the things they may not have learned about in dental school. Here are a few of the answers CDA has for those entering practice.

The June Journal of the California Dental Association paints a picture of millennial dentists — dubbed “dentennials” — through articles co-authored by the dentists themselves. Articles discuss their experiences in dentistry, the best methods for educating their generation, the four millennial personality types found in dental schools, the dental generation gap and dentennials who practice in small towns.

Applications are being accepted as of May 1 for the CDA Foundation’s 2018 Student Loan Repayment Grant. Given annually since 2002, the grant program helps recent dental school graduates offset the financial burden of student loan debt while they pursue careers in public or community health. The award provides up to $35,000 per year and a maximum of $105,000 over three years to be applied toward repaying the dentists’ educational loan.

The occupational outlook for dentistry is bright. The profession is pacing at a growth rate of 19 percent over 10 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s much faster than the overall job market. However, if you’re one of the many dental professionals seeking employment, navigating the process can still feel overwhelming. How do you gain the support and confidence needed to find a new job that’s the right fit?

The heart of dentistry is the unyielding desire to help others. A commitment to improving the oral health of all Californians is why many CDA members entered the profession, and it’s why so many dentists are passionate about giving back to their communities. Whether through volunteer efforts, advocacy or leadership, CDA can help act as a conduit for those looking to make a difference.

Relationship building is an essential skill for any professional, but especially for dentists. Sharing ideas, addressing common concerns and celebrating successes only serve to strengthen the profession. In addition, making professional connections can help dentists expand their opportunities and propel their practices forward.

The transition from dental student to practicing dentist can be one of the most stressful periods in an aspiring dentist’s life. Finishing classes, preparing for exams and applying for jobs can unnerve even the most well-prepared graduate. Luckily, CDA is here to help dentists at all stages of their careers with the business side of their profession.

Like many small business owners, dentists can often be confined to the “fishbowl” of their own offices. Taking a break from daily practice to connect with professionals from other practices and specialties can positively impact career growth, development and practice success. One way dentists can find these breaks is through membership in thriving associations and professional organizations.

CDA is celebrating an important milestone as membership grew to 27,000 dentists in December 2016. For all members, a community of 27,000 means greater representation through advocacy efforts to ensure diverse dentists across the state have a voice in policymaking. It means the availability of crucial practice support resources to help dentists easily manage the business and regulatory side of dentistry so they can stay focused on what they do best — providing great dental care to Californians.

Through a dynamic, fast-format presentation at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in Anaheim this May, audience members will have an opportunity to hear a panel of industry experts share insights on emerging dental trends that are shaping how dentists practice. Moderated by Jeff J. Brucia, DDS, the panel will address the future state of practice models, financing, consumers and more in a “PechaKucha” format.

The application period is now open for the 2016 California State Loan Repayment Program. Also, applications for the National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program will be accepted beginning Aug. 16.

The first dental student at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC has completed the licensure by portfolio process. Alexandra Chamberlain, DDS, completed the school's Certification of Clinical Experiences for licensure through portfolio by passing seven clinical competency examinations.

Attendees of CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Francisco have a number of lectures and workshops to choose from during the convention set for Sept. 8-10 at Moscone South in San Francisco. New dentists specifically have several options that are designed to provide them with valuable information as they launch their careers in dentistry.

Dental students at the UCSF School of Dentistry are now teaching medical students about oral health. This interprofessional activity is aimed at aligning the curriculum with the national guidelines set by the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration to expand the oral health clinical competency of primary care clinicians.

Attendees of CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry can expect to experience the latest in cutting-edge techniques and technology. At the Anaheim meeting on May 12-14, those interested in hearing about current research taking place at California's dental schools will have the opportunity to hear it from the professionals doing the research themselves.

Attendees of CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in Anaheim have countless educational and informative courses to choose from during the convention May 12-14 at the Anaheim Convention Center. That is especially true for new dentists with limited experiences at CDA Presents. New dentists, who graduated from dental school within the past 10 years, now have an opportunity to chart their own courses by choosing peer-recommended lectures and workshops geared toward practice management and clinical expertise.

New dentists have a lot to consider as they enter the workforce out of school. From permits and insurance to regulations and associateships, the decisions can seem endless and daunting. With that comes many questions. CDA Practice Support has updated a resource that answers many of the questions new dentists have. Here are answers to three common questions, among others, from new dentists that are featured in the resource.

Arthur A. Dugoni, DDS, MSD, recently spoke at the CDA student networking event at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry. During his speech, he challenged the dental students to do more than practice dentistry after they graduate. He urged them to make a difference in their profession and in their communities.

The first student to complete the licensure by portfolio process at the UCSF School of Dentistry has graduated. Jose Molina, DDS, who is now practicing as an associate dentist in Fresno, chose to obtain his licensure through this process because he felt it was a more “complete assessment” of his competency as a dentist. He also appreciated the fact that he was able to work on his own patients, providing follow-up care as needed.

The deadline for the CDA Foundation’s Student Loan Repayment Grant is July 31. The CDA Foundation awards selected recent dental school/specialty graduates with the Student Loan Repayment Grant to help repay their educational loan of up to $35,000 per year for a maximum of $105,000 over three years in exchange for a commitment by recipients to care for the underserved.

The first two dental students in the country have now completed the licensure by portfolio process. The University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry students, Daniel Feldman and Dan Beroukhim, accomplished this by building a portfolio of completed clinical experiences and clinical competency examinations in six subject areas over the normal course of their clinical training. Calibrated UOP faculty evaluated the examinations.

A dentist coming into the workforce out of school today has a lot of decisions to make in terms of their future and business decisions. To help with this, CDA Practice Support is hosting a two-day Smart Dentist Training titled “Maximize Your First Three Years” at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in Anaheim on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3.

Dentists who are buying/building a practice, or simply interested in learning how to maximize their practice’s value, can attend CDA Practice Support’s “Buying or Starting a Practice – What You Need to Know” seminars. The seminars will feature a unique panel of experts representing various fields within the dental arena to provide dentists with the knowledge they need to take the next steps in their dental careers.

Dental students in California will soon officially be able to graduate with a “portfolio” model exam process over the course of their final year in dental school. In November, the Dental Board of California finalized the regulatory process of approval for the portfolio examination model and California’s dental schools can now begin the implementation process (it is not a requirement for the schools, however). This is the first licensure-by-portfolio-exam program in the nation.

Subleasing space in a dental practice has become a popular trend for young dentists looking to test out success rates in specific geographical areas and cut down on their expenses until they get to a point in their careers when they can build out a dental office or purchase their own practice. "Shared space" agreements can get quite complex, and in these agreements, it is important for the dentist on the lease (sublessor) and the dentist who wants to use the space for a limited period of time (sublessee) to make sure the proper written agreements and consents are in place.

Edward Zuckerberg, DDS, knows a thing or two about social media and technology trends. If not for his time spent at the NYU College of Dentistry in the 70s and during his practicing years researching new technology and purchasing one of the first Atari and IBM computers, but also his family ties – he is the father of Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg. In fact, Mark created his first social network at age 12 in his dad’s dental office, long before Facebook. His dad, Edward, recently lectured on social media strategy for dentists at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Francisco.

To help new dentists start their careers off on the right path, CDA hosted a New Dentist Career Launch at its headquarters. The three-day program held from July 9-11 provided new dentists extensive and intense training intended to increase their understanding of the nuances of a career in dentistry and guide them toward achieving professional success. The 50 new dentists in attendance learned about topics such as reducing student loan debt, contract and lease negotiation strategies for practice start-up or acquisition and understanding their credit and personal financial resume.

To make the transition from dental school to the workforce easier, TDIC is offering newly licensed dentists their first year of Professional Liability insurance for just $50. In addition, new dentists receive a 45 percent discount in their second year of practice and a 25 percent discount in their third. Founded more than 30 years ago by CDA dentists, TDIC now protects more than 18,000 dentists nationwide.

Dentists are faced with many career paths, especially in the first 10 years of practice. Because of this, today’s new dentists need to have the necessary business knowledge that will help set their career on the right path. To help with this, CDA is hosting a New Dentist Career Launch from July 9-11 at the CDA headquarters (1201 K Street, Sacramento). The three-day program will provide extensive and intense training intended to increase a dentist’s understanding of the nuances of a career in dentistry and guide them toward achieving professional success.

Once a dentist is ready to embark on the journey of practice ownership, there are a lot of next steps. One of those steps is knowing the right way to go about making an offer on an existing practice, should that be the route the dentist takes. A new chapter in CDA's Guide for the New Dentist titled "Practice Start-up and Purchase Process" covers the topic, as well as other critical information on the many facets of dental practice start-ups, acquisitions, and considerations that apply to both.

Dental students and recent graduates interested in providing care in a community clinic have the opportunity to do the work they love and get help with their student debt at the same time, thanks to the CDA Foundation's Student Loan Repayment Grant. The grant awards selected recent dental school/specialty graduates funding to help repay their educational loans of up to $35,000 per year for a maximum of $105,000 over three years in exchange for a commitment by recipients to care for the underserved.

In the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of health care professionals reporting allergic reactions to latex. Because frequent exposure to latex products can lead to increased sensitivity, health care professionals are at a higher risk of developing an allergy to latex proteins. CDA Endorsed Program PureLife weighs in on the problems, reactions and precautions associated with latex gloves.

The CDA Foundation has numerous grants and scholarships available throughout the year with various deadlines and submission periods. Currently, the CDA Foundation is accepting applications for the Student Loan Repayment Grant, Humanitarian Award and the Latinos for Dental Careers Scholarship.

There are many business and technical issues in dental software contracts that dentists need to recognize and address, and the onus can fall on them to adequately prepare. Signing a bad contract could negatively impact a practice for years to come. CDA, along with a veteran health care software expert, has identified the top five mistakes dentists make when signing a dental software contract.

Whether a new dentist is an employee of a practice or starting their own, understanding how to create, manage and lead a dental team is crucial to success. New dentists must quickly learn how to, among other things, choose new hires and establish and support a productive team of energized, motivated employees. For some new dentists, conducting a job interview is uncharted and uncomfortable territory.

As a new crop of licensed dentists take the next steps in their dental careers this fall, there will be a host of new experiences ahead, including dealing firsthand with dental benefit plans. In order to gain a better understanding of what new dentists need to know about dental benefit plan issues, CDA reached out to three dentists who have less than five years of experience.

New dentists and dental students should begin networking early and often in their careers to help them not only land a job, but also to build lasting relationships with colleagues who can provide advice throughout their time as dentists. CDA offers several networking opportunities for new dentists, such as the upcoming New Dentist Networking Event on Aug. 17 at CDA Presents San Francisco on Aug. 17. The event will feature several roundtable discussions such as creating a personal brand, gaining networking techniques and marketing yourself as a new associate.

The 2013 class of Western University of Health Sciences – College of Dental Medicine graduated on May 15. The commencement ceremony of the inaugural class was a big deal for the newest of six dental schools in California. A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into getting the school off the ground; beginning in a temporary facility, having to develop a brand new curriculum and constantly seeking student and faculty input to help enhance the educational experience.

New dentists have a lot to juggle and think about after graduating from dental school – one of the things that shouldn’t fall through the cracks is making sure they have the proper permits to dispense controlled substances and administer conscious sedation. When dentists become licensed, they automatically have the ability to write prescriptions for antibiotics, fluoride and other non-controlled substances such as Ibuprofen. When it comes to prescribing, dispensing and administering controlled substances, however, they must first register with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Each level of the tripartite structure of organized dentistry offers valuable benefits and resources to dentists across California, including education, protection, support and advocacy. None of it would be possible without the foresight of thousands of dentists, and that leadership begins in the state’s dental schools. Soon-to-be dentists across the state are active at their respective schools. They do it because they understand that their careers depend on dentists making the decisions that will both preserve and maintain the profession, as well as serve patients.

Dentists who recently graduated from dental school and are wondering why the phone isn’t ringing as much as they thought it would from potential employers may need to review their history of social media activity. In recent years, employers in all professions have begun using social media as a tool to research job candidates, not just when it comes to hiring, but also when deciding on whom to grant interviews to.

New dentists who have sent out their resumes and cover letters to practices in search of employment should be prepared for the possibility of a working interview. Working interviews in dentistry are common because they allow candidates to practice in the clinical setting and provide the opportunity to observe how the practice owner conducts the office. It’s also the best way for practice owners to observe new dentists’ techniques and see how they interact with patients and staff.

Many new dentists enjoy participating in CDA Cares dental clinics because they are eager to volunteer the skills they garnered during dental school. Last year, the CDA Foundation and CDA hosted two CDA Cares clinics that provided $2.8 million in dental care that helped relieve pain and infection for 3,676 patients.

New dentists looking to enter the workforce have a lot to think about. One of the first things to deal with is the job hunt, specifically the interview process. Natasha Lee, DDS, course director, practice management and jurisprudence, at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, and Nicholas Marongiu, DDS, chair of the New Dentist Committee, weigh in.

There are many things new dentists must do as they venture out onto their own and begin their careers – one of the first steps in that process is putting together a valuable cover letter. A cover letter is the entry point into any potential employment and personalizing yourself in the first few sentences of the letter is vital for a dental practice setting.

New dentists today are entering a different type of job market than the dentists of a generation ago faced out of college. An ever-changing dental insurance marketplace, a rise in the corporate practice model and an economy struggling to pull out of the recession are all factors that have created a competitive job market for new dentists.

To assist more dentists with their career needs, the CDA Practice Support Center has launched a mobile version of the Guide for the New Dentist. The mobile site, cda.org/newdentist, provides dentist with valuable career tips and more, right at their fingertips.